'Black Raven' pirates seek Gold for reality show

St. Augustine’s landlubber residents are used to noticing long-bearded, cutlass-carrying, beer-swilling pirates and their buxom wenches roaming downtown, but a new reality show planned here could bring the Black Raven crew — and the city — national and international attention.

First, however, the enterprise must raise $125,000 to pay for the pilot.

The television pilot, tentatively titled “Mutiny on the Black Raven,” would feature the residents and visitors of the Oldest City interacting with the ship’s crew while also being part of the onboard struggles of running a pirate-themed ship, living as a pirate and the tension — and strong affection — evident among the larger-than-life actors turned pirates.

Black Raven owner Gunnar Hedqwist has joined with noted film producer Skoti Collins and award-winning director Michael Feifer — who have completed roughly 100 television film and documentary titles — to produce a quality product.

Hedqwist, known as “G” to his employees, is a Swedish hotelier turned pirate captain.

“I came to St. Augustine, bought a hotel and then later ended up with a pirate ship. Before this, I’d never even owned a floating mattress. Now I get to live as a pirate 24-7,” he said.

Collins said great television and exciting entertainment “doesn’t just happen. It is well thought out with a plan of action and the motivation to take an idea and make it a reality. Talent, vision, desire and passion is what makes this industry thrive.”

The Black Raven crew filmed a segment for the Travel Channel’s “Top Five Wackiest” last fall and AXS TV’s “Drinking Made Easy,” which was a big hit with viewing audiences.

According to Grace St. Clare, who manages Black Raven ticket sales and the ship’s store, “We still have people coming in who have seen the HD TV segment.”

Hedqwist said he hoped they could get local support and make the pilot happen.

“Not just because it’s good for the Black Raven. What we operate on is a premise that we’re all in this together. What’s good for us is also a positive for everyone,” he said.

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The show’s creators have launched the fund raising with Kickstarter.com, a site for creative fund raising.